At Crime & Federalism, Norm Pattis writes that "the long knives are out, sharp and dangerous on the Connecticut Supreme Court this week." The infighting at the court comes as the result of allegations that its former chief justice, William J. Sullivan, secretly held off publication of a controversial ruling to keep it from interfering with the confirmation of Republican Peter Zarella to succeed him. Pattis explains what happened next:

"When fellow justices wondered what became of the decision, all Hell broke loose. The acting chief, David Borden, has now written a letter to the Judiciary Committee complaining of misconduct by the former chief. And Sullivan himself has fessed up to manipulating publication of the decision to benefit his favored son. Undeterred by all this sleaze, the Republican majority of the state's Judiciary Committee nonetheless voted to approve the nomination."

Today, Zarella withdrew his nomination. But he did so in a manner that leaves the door open for his appointment, Pattis says.

"He just wants to be asked again. That's the same old Karaoke sung at the College of Cardinals where soon-to-be Popes are expected to modestly decline the nomination before accepting."

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Claws Come Out for Supreme Fight in Connecticut

At Crime & Federalism, Norm Pattis writes that "the long knives are out, sharp and dangerous on the Connecticut Supreme Court this week." The infighting at the court comes as the result of allegations that its former chief justice, William J. Sullivan, secretly held off publication of a controversial ruling to keep it from interfering with the confirmation of Republican Peter Zarella to succeed him. Pattis explains what happened next:

"When fellow justices wondered what became of the decision, all Hell broke loose. The acting chief, David Borden, has now written a letter to the Judiciary Committee complaining of misconduct by the former chief. And Sullivan himself has fessed up to manipulating publication of the decision to benefit his favored son. Undeterred by all this sleaze, the Republican majority of the state's Judiciary Committee nonetheless voted to approve the nomination."

Today, Zarella withdrew his nomination. But he did so in a manner that leaves the door open for his appointment, Pattis says.

"He just wants to be asked again. That's the same old Karaoke sung at the College of Cardinals where soon-to-be Popes are expected to modestly decline the nomination before accepting."